Anyone planning portions for dinner
If adults and children want different-sized portions, the number of buns and the weight of each one matter more than a general description of the flavour.
Who is this choice important for?
Anyone who means wholegrain by ‘dark’
A dark colour won’t tell you which grain or flour has been used. Look for a clear wholegrain claim and check the ingredients of the variety you’ve chosen.
Anyone buying for guests with allergies
If anyone in your group has an allergy, the current information on the specific packaging is what matters. Recipes and warnings can vary between products.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out what you mean by ‘dark’. Then compare the nutritional information and allergens, and only after that consider the size and storage requirements for your meal.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to most |
|---|---|---|
| What ‘dark’ means | If you want wholegrain, look for a clear wholegrain claim. If you mean cocoa or chocolate, check the ingredients. | I don’t want to judge by colour when I’m looking for something different from the usual currant bun for the adults. For around 31% of consumers, clarifying what they want comes first. |
| Nutritional value | Compare sugars, fibre and salt per 100 g; to find out how much is in each bun, check the portion weight too. | If I’m looking for a less sweet option, I want to compare the nutritional information on the packaging side by side. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the packaging you’ve chosen. | If a guest has an allergy, I need to know which variety I can serve. For around 23% of consumers, checking allergens is their main concern. |
| Portions and storage | Check the number of buns, the weight of each one and the storage instructions if you’re buying them in advance. | I want to serve enough suitable portions without opening more buns than necessary. For around 15% of consumers, this practical choice matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a dark bun is wholegrain
Raisins, currants or a dark appearance don’t tell you whether a currant bun is wholegrain. The regular varieties described by Jumbo and PLUS are made with white wheat flour.
Look for a wholegrain claim on the packaging, then compare the nutritional information for the varieties you’re considering.
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Guessing allergens from the product name
The Jumbo and PLUS currant buns described contain wheat/gluten and milk; warnings about other allergens may vary between varieties.
Before serving, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging you’ve bought.
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Comparing sugar per bun without checking its weight
Figures per bun aren’t directly comparable if the buns weigh different amounts. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses a 50 g currant bun as a reference, while Jumbo lists the buns in the packaging described as 65 g each.
First compare the sugar per 100 g, then use the actual portion weight to work out what you’ll be serving.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes regular raisin and currant buns, with nutritional and allergen information on the product page.
- For the variety described, Albert Heijn lists 2.9 g of fibre and 25 g of sugars per 100 g, and recommends freezing on the day of purchase.
- Albert Heijn says that ingredients and nutritional information may change, so check the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes a pack of six raisin and currant buns made with white wheat flour.
- The product information lists each bun as 65 g and gives nutritional values per 100 g and per bun.
- The variety described contains wheat/gluten and milk; check the packaging for information on other allergens too.
PLUS
PLUS describes a regular bag of six currant buns and a separate ‘tasty for longer’ variety containing eight.
- For the regular variety, PLUS lists 3.3 g of fibre and 25.2 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The varieties described are made with white wheat flour and contain wheat/gluten and milk. Follow the storage instructions on the specific packaging you choose.
ALDI
ALDI describes a pack of six wheat buns with raisins and currants.
- The number of buns gives you a useful starting point for planning portions.
- Before comparing this variety with others, check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Lidl
Lidl has described giant raisin and currant buns as a pack of four 100 g buns made with butter.
- The stated weight per bun makes it clear what larger portion size you’re comparing.
- Check availability in store and read the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Bolletje
Bolletje’s range includes breakfast products, crackers and crispbreads, among other things.
- If you specifically want to compare Bolletje currant buns, first check the current range and product packaging.
Joybuy products
Related products will appear soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dark currant bun automatically wholegrain?
No, colour alone doesn’t confirm that. Look for a clear wholegrain claim and check the ingredients of the currant bun you want to buy.
Are currant buns gluten-free or dairy-free?
Don’t assume they are: the Jumbo and PLUS varieties described contain wheat/gluten and milk. Check the current allergen information on the specific packaging, even if you choose another brand.
Can I freeze currant buns in advance for a family meal?
You can if the packaging you’ve chosen provides instructions for doing so. Albert Heijn recommends freezing the variety described on the day of purchase; for the ‘tasty for longer’ variety described, PLUS also says to use it within one month. Follow the instructions on your own packaging.
Does every currant bun contain iodine because of the baker’s salt?
You can’t assume that every currant bun does. The Jumbo and PLUS products described list baker’s salt as an ingredient. An official publication on Overheid.nl describes baker’s salt as iodised table salt, but check the ingredients list for the variety you choose before buying.